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Labor Day

An old custom prohibits the wearing of white after Labor Day. The custom is rooted in nothing more than popular fashion etiquette. In actuality, the etiquette originally stated that white shoes were the taboo while white or "winter white" clothes were acceptable. This custom is fading from popularity as it continues to be questioned and challenged, particularly by leaders in the fashion world. "Fashion magazines are jumping on this growing trend, calling people who 'dare' to wear white after Labor Day innovative, creative, and bold. Slowly but surely, white is beginning to break free from its box, and is becoming acceptable to wear whenever one pleases. This etiquette is also compared to the Canadian fashion rule of not wearing green after Rememberance day."

Labor Day 2008 falls on the third of September in the year according to the Chinese calendar is one dedicated for the rats. So what’s so special about Labor Day 2008 that it should have an article written about it? A lot!

The month of September and Labor Day has a special relationship as far as holidays and historical dates are concerned. September is the month when classes in all schools, colleges and universities open for the new school year or semester. For this year, pre-Labor Day 2006 class openings would require schools to apply for a waiver if they wanted to start classes before the Labor Day weekend. But for the rest of the educational institutions across the US, students have until Labor Day weekend to enjoy the carefree days of summer before facing the cycle of nights and days of studying and attending classes and passing exams.

Historically, the month of September and Labor Day, in particular, have a lot of significant Labor Day events connected with the two. Because the first Monday of September was officially adopted by the U.S. as the Labor Day date to celebrate the hard work and importance of labor workers all over the country, a lot of socially relevant Labor Day events were held on this day and as a result, when something goes awry, like a protest march or rally of workers was violently dispersed, the historical date falls on a September date.

More than that, when it comes to holidays, the ninth month has a lot to offer. With the coming of September and Labor Day just around the corner, the summer heat is beaten back by the arrival of the Fall season. Soon leaves will turn to orange and then to brown, and fall from the branches of trees. It won’t be long before the silver beauty of winter envelopes most of the country and we could look forward to Christmas. For those who spend non-white Christmases, the air has at least cooled down, and we won’t be having these dreadful heat waves until next summer.

Perhaps one of the most noteworthy Labor Day events in September was the appearance of two Labor Day derechos in New York on September 7, 1998. By Labor Day 2008, this Labor Day event will be commemorating its 10th year anniversary.

One derecho moved through northern and central New York, and the other would start in southeastern Michigan and move through northeastern Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Long Island, New York.

The northernmost derecho (dubbed the Syracuse Labor Day Derecho), got its start in northwestern New York just before midnight on September 7 after several thunderstorm cells coming from Ontario converged to become a bow echo. It quickly moved southeastward through New York. Some of the worst damage occurred at Rochester, Syracuse, and Utica. Three people were killed, two of them at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. An 89 mph (140 km/h) wind gust was recorded at the Rochester airport and a 77 mph (128 km/h) wind gust was recorded at the Syracuse airport. Winds peaked up to as much as 115 mph (192 km/h). Tens of thousands of trees were blown down. Damage was estimated at $130 million in damage (1998 dollars). Many in the region were without electricity for almost a week.

As the Syracuse Derecho moved into New England, a new derecho started developing in southeastern Michigan at around 4 A.M. EDT and followed a track just to the south of the first one. The derecho raced through northeastern Ohio and Pennsylvania, New Jersey and ended up in New York in the mid-afternoon hours. Four people were killed and 62 were injured, mainly in the New Jersey and the New York City area. Thousands of trees were blown down and about 100 boats were overturned. Over 300,000 customers lost power and power was not restored until five days after the event.